Liliana was happy that her nightmares left her alone for the nap she took the day before, and even more happy that they let her sleep through most of the night before waking her up in a tangle of sweat-soaked sheets she had to strip from her bed when the sun had barely risen above the horizon.

She didn’t suffer through a second night terror induced panic attack in as many days either, then again it could be because the nightmare she’d had this time had been almost familiar. Dark voices, blood, death, a monstrous Imogen, all perfectly normal things for her to dream of, almost comforting in the familiarity. At least her twisted mind hadn’t dredged up memories that really made her hurt this time, even if dreaming of being covered in blood wasn’t her idea of a restful sleep.

It made it easier to get ready that morning, even if she still needed some illusions to hide the dark circles under her eyes because even with a two-hour nap the day before and getting five hours of sleep that night wasn’t nearly enough. She had the energy this time to guide a half asleep Marianne to the cafeteria and to let Emyr’s hissed insults roll off her back. She wasn’t better, but she was good enough to survive her day, and that was all she asked for. All she could hope for.

She’d had just enough sleep that her mind was back in working order, and without a lingering panic attack, she could pay attention to her teachers and write legible notes. She’d been right. The notes for her first Wind class were nothing but jumbled nonsense, but Marianne had saved her by writing doubles of all her notes the day before and handing them to Liliana with a smile. It was thanks to the notes Marianne, and Emyr, had slipped to her that she could pass her World History and Fundamentals quizzes.

It was lucky that Battle Training’s first non-physical class was that day and not the one before, because Liliana wasn’t sure she’d have been able to copy the anatomically correct diagrams Rauk had hung up at the front of the room before he began going over the different organs and where their positions could subtly differ between races. Such as dæmon hearts being on the right side of their chest, not the left. Beastman physiology could differ either slightly or highly between the different clans, such as bird beastmen having honeycombed bones and larger lungs, with bigger rib-cages to compensate.

Classes had settled into something of a routine, even with slight changes made here and there, such as Battle Training being a coin toss if they’d be fighting or learning where each race kept their spleen. Though there was one difference that had come as a bit of a surprise.

Coppercolt had found his seat quite inhospitable when he tried to slip in next to Anya, who had said nothing but the rolling growl she let out, ears pinned tight to her head, had made it clear he was risking life and limb if he sat down. He’d switched his seat with Basil Zindru after some hushed negotiation. The southern duchy heir had nodded politely to them all, even going so far as to greet Alistair in what was a very clear display of him accepting Alistair.

Many things could be said about the four duchies, but no one could say they didn’t have their own kind of warped loyalty to each other. As long as Alistair was still the heir, no matter how tenuous the position was, the other duchies would accept him, even if the rest of the nobles didn’t.

Another change, one Liliana darkly hoped lasted, was Emyr’s venomous remarks every time Zir’elon, Coppercolt or Dunstan spoke, moved or even breathed. Anytime one of them was called out to answer a question and got the answer wrong, Emyr’s hand was raised high in an uncharacteristic willingness to accept attention. Liliana would’ve never expected if she didn’t know how spiteful Emyr could be. Anytime they got the answer right, Emyr had a ready, quiet quip on his lips insisting they were lucky, or cheated, or that someone around them had whispered the answer to them.

“Anyone with a brain cell knows the date the Cista Queendom was founded. We celebrate it every year.”

“How did Dunstan not know the name of the first queen’s adviser? Theres an entire chapter about their alleged romantic affair! Guess reading is another thing the shithead doesn’t know how to do.”

“Mildenhall definitely slipped him the answer. Why such a smart girl would spend time with a social climbing twat like Coppercolt is beyond me.”

“He wouldn’t know the difference between a Skill and a Spell if someone stabbed him with one.”

“I bet Coppercolt is good at math with how much money laundering his father does for his illegal gambling ring.”

“Are we sure some dæmons don’t have brains at all? Zir’elon probably has a piece of coal in there. Maybe he’s a special anomaly. We should ask Rauk to study him for research purposes.”

It had taken all of Liliana’s mental strength to resist bursting out into laughter with each new insult that came from Emyr. Alistair had to lay his head in his arms several times, while his shoulder shook with barely concealed laughter. Marianne was egging him on with her own remarks. Anya had barked out a loud laugh at one point that got her three demerit points that she was too amused to be mad about, and Zindru had covered his face with his hands after one comment about Dunstan’s mother’s rumored dalliances with a donkey, which surely explained his far too big ears. Liliana wasn’t sure if Zindru rued his choice to switch seats or if he was enjoying the show. The humor in his eyes when they all left, and that he actually bid them good day, made Liliana think he perhaps enjoyed their brand of chaos.

Liliana thankfully didn’t have elective classes with the trio of bastards, as Emyr had dubbed them, except Dunstan, who sat far enough away from her in Soul that she didn’t have to acknowledge his existence. She felt bad for Emyr, knowing he was in Fire with Zir’elon. A class she was surprised to hear that Koth’talan also took. She assumed he was in Lava and Earth as his second and third elective classes then, as those had been the affinities she’d seen from him so far. Alistair had taken Water, Crystal and Metal so she couldn’t know for sure. Though Alistair hadn’t unlocked the Water affinity yet, he was apparently waiting until this weekend to be sure he meshed with the element well enough.

Liliana was just leaving Wind, Marianne chattering next to her to Anya while she tried to come up with a valid reason to invite Fioralba, or Fiora as she’d told Liliana to call her after the second time the girl’s name had tongue tied her, to their study sessions. The other girl was a bit intimidating. Her passion for their shared element lit her up with such fervor it regularly struck Liliana dumb with the strength of it. So she could admit she was nervous to invite her to study with her, especially as she didn’t consider her as close as her other friends.

She’d managed to talk to Fabian before Soul started and discussed meeting up on Terradays for joint studying easily enough. He was far less intimidating than the fiery Fiora, perhaps because he didn’t have the same passion for Soul that Fiora held for Telekinesis. He had a quieter sort of aura around him, with his dusty blond hair pulled into a bun with a pen stuck through it more often than not, with deep, soulful brown eyes.

Maybe Liliana just wasn’t used to interacting with people who weren’t her friends, if she was walking towards the library while Marianne chattered about how she spotted Acacia making out with some third year in the bathrooms thinking about deep soulful brown eyes and how Fiora’s eyes lit up like emerald fire when they discussed Telekineses.

They blame stuff like this on hormones in the books, right? Let’s just blame it on puberty or something. That’s why I can’t focus or ask classmates to study with me like a normal person. Liliana decided just in time to shriek when Emyr popped out of the shadows cast by some trees like a shadow clad groundhog.

“Emyr?” Liliana asked as she pressed a hand to her chest. She’d forgotten Emyr’s tendency to just jump out of shadows whenever it suited him, using them like his own personal secret tunnels.

“Do you have Nemesis with you?” Emyr asked, not bothering with pleasantries.

“I-What?” Liliana asked, confused by the sudden question.

“Nemesis. Is she with you?” Emyr said slowly, as if talking to a child. Liliana frowned at his tone, debating smacking him for the fright and the insult.

“Yes, she’s with me today.” Liliana said as she crossed her arms.

“Can I borrow her?” Emyr asked, and Liliana’s eyebrows rose high on her forehead.

“You can’t use my Bond to kill someone.” Liliana huffed out, rolling her eyes.

“I won’t be using her to kill anyone. Even if they deserve it.” Emyr insisted, though the way his lips pulled into a small pout made Liliana think that had been one of his plans.

“What are you even planning to use her for?” Liliana asked, her lips tugging into a slight smirk.

“Spying. I need to gather more information.” Emyr said in a whisper as he dragged her off the pathway towards the trees he’d just jumped out of, Marianne and Anya following behind her.

“Who are you spying on?” Anya asked, her head tilting to the side.

“Are you going to dig up dirt to bury the three bastards?” Marianne asked with a vicious smile.

Why are all my friends terrifying? Liliana wondered as she rubbed her temples with her fingers. She’d had to sit through four murder plots the day before after her nap when she was going over the notes her friends had handed her. They only got more ridiculous and unfeasible the later it got.

“Yes, and I need Nemesis to do it.” Emyr insisted, turning his attention back to Liliana.

“She’s more likely to eat them than to spy on them, and what? Am I supposed to play translator between you two since she still refuses to talk to anyone else?” Liliana hissed as she glared at Emyr. “Why not take Polaris? He’s able to hide in shadows too and he’d think this is all great fun, and he’ll actually talk to you.”

“He’s likely to play some malicious prank on them instead of just watching. Nemesis won’t eat them if you tell her not to. Polaris won’t listen if you’re not right by him and then we’ll all have detention because he dumped a skunk in their rooms or something.” Emyr refuted and Liliana leaned her head back to groan because he was right.

“This doesn’t solve the issue of her not talking to you, or that she might decide not to.” Liliana pointed out, and Emyr gave her a shit-eating grin, his silver eyes sparkling with victory.

“I think I can convince her.” Emyr said secretively, and Liliana rolled her eyes.

“Whatever. I’ll bring her out just to watch her deny you and maybe bite you for bothering her.” Liliana growled out as she tapped the serpent’s stone.

Nemesis appeared at Liliana’s feet and before she could gather the serpent, Emyr darted down, picking Nemesis up in his hands. The flowered serpent hissed threateningly at Emyr, but the boy didn’t look bothered as he stepped away from the girls to whisper at the serpent. Nemesis hissed back, her hood flaring, and Liliana knew she was about to strike when something Emyr said froze the serpent. Right before Liliana’s amazed eyes, her serpent’s hood folded closed and her head waved from side to side as she considered whatever offer Emyr had made her. Nemesis nodded her serpentine head and Emyr grinned back happily before walking to Liliana with Nemesis wrapped loosely around his arm.

“Wait, he did it?” Marianne asked, eyes wide. Nemesis liked Marianne best out of all the humans she’d met, barring Liliana, but even the princess hadn’t gotten the serpent to speak to her.

“Yes, I agreed to his deal.” Nemesis said, sounding slightly put out by this fact. Marianne squealed, her hands flying to cover her open mouth.

“She spoke!” Marianne whispered between her fingers, looking as if every wish she’d ever made had just come true.

“Yes, I did. I did not want the first human I spoke to, to be this guileless hatchling.” Nemesis said primly, turning slightly to hiss at Emyr.

“I resent the accuracy of that statement.” Emyr said, but he was still grinning proudly.

His grin dimmed a bit when Marianne squealed again and almost ripped Nemesis from his arm, the serpent going willingly. He watched as Marianne whispered and chatted to Nemesis and the serpent listened, bobbing her head and hissing back soft replies that Marianne could understand based on her million watt smile.

“Why wasn’t she like that with me?” Emyr asked, his tone accusing as he turned to Liliana.

“Nemesis likes Marianne better, she compliments her endlessly every time they see each other and has special rare rodent beasts imported for her to try.” Liliana said with a shrug.

Marianne spoiled all of Liliana’s bonds as if they were her own. Sometimes Liliana thought her bonds loved the princess more than her, but she knew deep down she’d always have her bonds love. Even if Marianne had better treats.

“Anyway, we need to go. I have Alchemy soon and now I don’t have the time to get a quick study in beforehand.” Liliana grumbled as she checked the time.

She’d hoped to get her half done math homework finished before her club, but now it would need to wait. She waved at her friends, Marianne still chattering at Nemesis while Emyr fidgeted nearby, looking three seconds from absconding with the serpent and Anya nervously standing to the side, eyes fixed on the serpent as her hands twitched with the obvious urge to pet.

Liliana returned to the path and picked up her pace, eager to get to the Alchemy club room early so she could look over all the different ingredients and equipment they had. She was nervous about leaving Nemesis with Emyr, but she could easily check in on her Bond at any time, and she’d know the second anything went wrong. She really hoped nothing went wrong.

Liliana opened the door to the club, the room several floors below the elective classes. They hadn’t been told of the extra classrooms below the buildings, but then again, it hadn’t necessarily been something they needed to know, as clubs were entirely optional. Just another thing the Academy didn’t tell you, but let you stumble upon yourself.

Speaking of stumbling upon, Liliana still needed to check if the secret passageways existed in this world or if it was game only. Her mind occupied, Liliana didn’t spot the telltale smoke curling under the door to the club and when she opened the door, a foul smelling wave of smoke crashed over her.

“Sorry about that! I got lost in an experiment and forgot the time!” A sweet feminine voice called out through the thick smoke as Liliana coughed and used [Wind Manipulation] to clear the smoke surrounding her.

Seconds later, a more robust wind cleared the smoke entirely from the room, revealing a woman with her thick brown hair tied up in a messy bun, held together with three stirring sticks. Hazel eyes sparkled at her behind goggles and though Liliana couldn’t see it, she felt the beaming grin the woman had on behind her mask.

Is she related to Fabian or something? They have the same hairstyle. Liliana wondered idly as she waved the woman’s, her teacher she assumed by her age, concerns away.

“It’s fine. I’ve done worse at home than a bit of smoke.” Liliana said easily as she walked in. Before she could get a chance to [Identify] her teacher, her eyes snagged on the boiling cauldron and she hurried over, eyes wide with excitement as she took in the ingredients spread around it.

“Is that valerian root? And Nightmare hair? Are you making Sleeping Death?” Liliana asked eagerly. “Wait, this is Luna Moth dust, and is that Reaper Adder venom?” Liliana asked in amazement as she fluttered her hands over the ingredients.

“Yes! I thought I could increase the area of effect if I used the Luna Moth dust as they are mostly area of effect creatures and use the Reaper Adder venom to keep the effect strong even when diluted by the distance,” the woman gushed as she picked up the ingredients before frowning at her cauldron. “But when I mixed in the venom, it started smoking terribly, and it was only thanks to the nullification wards placed around the room that it didn’t knock me out, I believe.” She said with a huff as she set the venom down.

“You’d need something to bind to the venom without neutralizing it,” Liliana said with a hum as she looked at the cauldron, seeing the violently boiling black brew.

“You’re right! Hm a binding agent that would work with the other ingredients and not neutralize the effects.” the woman tapped her finger to her lips for a moment before her eyes brightened and she darted off for a door Liliana hadn’t noticed before. When the woman opened it, Liliana saw a large room, bigger than the classroom, filled floor to ceiling with ingredients and supplies.

“Oh! I almost forgot,” the woman said, popping her head out the door to look at Liliana. “I’m Maria Gambrill, the adult supervision for this club and the Poison instructor. Come in here and grab some supplies and ingredients, the approved potions for each year are posted by the door. If you want to make something else or experiment, let me know. I’ll require a research paper on any unapproved potions you want to try, including reasons why you think you should be allowed to make it. For experiments, just tell me what you want to try, why you think it’ll work, and I have to be there to supervise! Other than that, welcome to Alchemy club and have fun! Blow some stuff up in the name of invention!” Maria rattled off the information before ducking back into the storeroom. Liliana’s lips split into an excited smile as she rushed towards the storeroom to get started.

She was going to enjoy this club.